Teen stabbed and beaten with golf club in row over £10 of cannabis

He was stabbed through the side and back, battered with a golf club and kicked in the face and body, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

Violence flared following an exchange of threatening messages between the victim and the 15-year-old brother of the person to whom the debt was owed, revealed Mr Howard Searle, prosecuting.

These led to the 19-year-old and his brother, aged 23, confronting the 15-year-old, who had also brought two 16-year-old friends with him, at a car park in Peake Drive, Dudley, on October 8.

The victim was prepared to settle the debt, believing it was a ‘stupid thing’ to fight about, continued Mr Searle.

But one of the youths threw a punch sparking a melee.

During the melee the brother of the victim wielded a hammer before the rivals separated and went their separate ways.

More threatening messages drove both sides back to the car park to renew hostilities later the same day.

This time, however, one of the youths was armed with a golf club.

A hammer and knife were thrown – it was unclear by whom – before the victim was attacked when separated from his brother as both tried to escape.

He was dragged to the ground and hit twice over the head with the golf club.

He was also kicked in the chest and face, and stabbed twice.

One of stabbing blows punctured the victim’s a lung.

He was eventually rescued from the ordeal by a passer by.

All three youths, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, admitted unlawful wounding.

They were each given an 18-month youth rehabilitation order.

Recorder Jason Macadam said: “The use of a knife, weapon or kick to the head frequently ends in murder.

He added: “It is very lucky for you, and the complainant, that his injuries were not more serious.

“Because of your age, a custodial sentence should always be a measure of last resort. That is what has saved you together with the fact that you did not bring the knife to the scene.”